One year ago, the Craig & Linn Dee Stein Vision Center, opened with a dream: that it could be more than a warehouse. We imagined a space where programs could grow, volunteers could serve in new ways, and our community could come together to collaborate and learn. We hoped it would be flexible enough to adapt, large enough to inspire, and welcoming enough for every neighbor to feel at home.

In it’s first year, that dream has become a reality in ways we could not have predicted. When fundraising began more than five years ago, no one knew how much the need for food assistance would grow. We did not anticipate taking on Clark County’s only Diaper Bank, but the warehouse space proved essential. When funding for ESL classes was frozen, the Vision Center became a place where those classes could continue. And at a time when our community has felt somewhat divided, this space has emerged as a hub for connection and collaboration.

The impact speaks for itself:

• 1.1 million pounds of food distributed through our food pantry.

• 1,187 volunteers and 41 groups contributed their time and skills.

• 30 community events hosted, including nutrition education classes, SaveFirst financial wellness workshops, ESL classes, volunteer appreciation nights, and trainings and gatherings for local leaders in the community.

• Local businesses and organizations such as Starbucks, Ryonet, Kaiser Permanente, and OSU Foundation joining for service projects, trainings, and events.

CCFB Volunteer Manager, Michele Richardson, notes, the Vison Center is “an environment where people feel empowered to serve and connect with one another.” Operationally, it has transformed how we work. Large volunteer groups no longer disrupt warehouse operations, as food distribution continues seamlessly alongside service activities. The building’s layout has improved safety, parking, and accessibility, while also allowing for both large gatherings and more focused, specialized programs.

But that’s not all. The Vision Center is just getting started. Plans are already underway to expand Food+ programming, host community markets, and create new opportunities for education and collaboration.

The Vision Center has created new opportunities to strengthen our partner agency network. This year, we hosted our nonprofit partners, bringing together the organizations that distribute food across Clark County. These gatherings provide a chance to share ideas, brainstorm challenges, and work collectively toward serving families more effectively. The Vision Center gives us the flexibility to convene our network in one place, reminding us that collaboration is the key to fighting hunger on a countywide scale

This anniversary is more than a milestone. It is a reminder of what can happen when vision meets action. The Craig & Linn Dee Stein Vision Center is not simply a building, it is a symbol of resilience, creativity, and partnership. And it represents a commitment to provide resources that support a thriving community.